The NBA season is just getting underway, but perceptions can shift rapidly. One week, for example, Cade Cunningham might seem like an inefficient player prone to turnovers, and the next he could be regarded as one of the league’s best two-way initiators, taking on tough shots while also playing solid defense. Early in the season, players’ reputations often change based on only a few performances, good or bad.
This week, we previously highlighted six potential first-time NBA All-Star candidates, pointing out some nice surprises. Now, let’s turn our attention to players who haven’t quite made the impact expected from them so far.
It’s important to note that all the players listed here are quite talented. They are expected to perform better than they have shown early this season. There’s still ample time for them to improve, and I believe most, especially those at the top of this list, will bounce back. So, let’s dive in.
Evan Mobley, C/F, Cleveland Cavaliers
I’ve held Mobley in high regard for a while, considering him among the league’s top young talents. However, I had anticipated more from him to start this season. At just 24, Mobley should be emerging as one of the league’s next stars. Yet, players like Chet Holmgren and Alperen Sengun have seemingly caught up or even surpassed him. With injuries to teammates Darius Garland and Max Strus, Mobley had a prime opportunity to impact the offense—yet his performance has stagnated, leaving Donovan Mitchell to shoulder more of the load. This year, Mobley is experiencing his least efficient scoring since his rookie season, with a negative rTS% compared to league norms. His free-throw percentage has plummeted to 59.3%, down from 72.5% last year, and his overall two-point shooting has decreased significantly as well. Oddly enough, Cleveland’s defense appears to perform better when Mobley isn’t on the floor. Given that he was Defensive Player of the Year last season, that’s a strange trend. It would make sense if Mobley were focusing on enhancing his perimeter game, but his assist percentage has gone up instead. He simply hasn’t played with the same intensity that we saw last season, and Cleveland’s situation doesn’t seem to favor him right now. It’s a bit surprising that there are four Cavaliers performing better than Mobley at the moment. I’m not concerned long-term, though. Maybe with the return of Garland and Strus, Mobley can find easier scoring opportunities. I think he deserves a chance to improve as a late starter.
Paolo Banchero, F, Orlando Magic
Banchero has always intrigued me. I picked him as the top choice in the 2022 draft and even had high hopes for the Orlando Magic to win the East this season after his impressive leap last year. Unfortunately, Banchero has struggled out of the gate and sustained a frustrating groin injury just as he was finding his rhythm. This issue seems to highlight a recurring dilemma for Orlando. Banchero and Franz Wagner seem unable to complement each other effectively, often performing better when one is off the court. Last year, when Banchero was in while Wagner was out, the team had a -9.3 net rating, but held a +9.6 rating with Wagner and Banchero off. This season, while Banchero’s numbers have improved—Orlando enjoys a +7.5 net rating with him on the floor—issues persist. Even when they both play and the net rating is slightly positive, the offense doesn’t seem to flow. Banchero is a strong mid-range shooter, but that aspect sometimes clashes with Wagner’s game, who excels at driving to the basket. Banchero’s development in shooting has stalled, as reflected in his three-point shooting, which remains around 25%. While he’s better at scoring from within ten feet, he clearly possesses the tools to be more efficient. Banchero really needs to figure out how he fits with Wagner instead of sticking to a “my turn, your turn” approach. He’s talented, but there’s still room for growth, and the Magic don’t resemble the title contenders I thought they could become.
Derrick White, G, Boston Celtics
I want to emphasize that White is still a vital player, even though he’s currently facing a massive shooting slump. The Celtics guard excels defensively, contributing significantly with blocked shots and overall defensive prowess. With Jayson Tatum sidelined due to injury, it initially seemed like White could step up as a primary scorer, but his efficiency has taken a hit. He’s now struggling with only a 41.6% shooting rate from two-point range, down from last year’s 59%. His three-point shooting has also dipped from over 38% to just 30%. That being said, it’s impressive that he holds a +4.6 net rating despite his shooting challenges. He hasn’t been able to capitalize on the open shots he often had when Tatum was in the lineup, and the new frontcourt looks a bit disjointed. While the Celtics might get a decent return if they decide to trade White, it seems they see him as an integral piece for the future with Tatum. I had hoped he could reach a new level in scoring, but shifting from a supportive role to a primary one is tougher than anticipated.
Kawhi Leonard, F, Los Angeles Clippers
This season, the Clippers have been quite disappointing, and Leonard epitomizes their struggles. He has performed well, setting a career-high for points per 100 possessions and shooting nearly 63% from the field. However, he’s missed a significant number of games already. His recent ankle injury raises concerns about his ability to play a full season, which has been a constant issue. Meanwhile, the Clippers’ defense has dramatically declined, currently at 25th in efficiency compared to third last season. They appear older, slower, and less athletic. At $50 million this season—making him one of the highest-paid players—Leonard’s part-time contributions don’t justify the salary. Though the off-court controversy around him has quieted, it still lingers as a concern. Drafting Leonard has almost become a consequence for the Clippers’ cap maneuvers, and the idea of avoiding repercussions doesn’t help them in the long run.
Paul George, F, Philadelphia 76ers
When Paul George was acquired for cap space, it appeared to be a smart move by Daryl Morey in building a championship team around Joel Embiid. In hindsight, letting George go was arguably one of the Clippers’ best decisions, as George has faced injuries and inconsistent performance with the Sixers. He’s currently tied to a hefty $53 million-per-year contract, and he hasn’t yet lived up to that value. Last season, he played just 41 games, far fewer than his All-Star-level performance during his time with the Clippers. After knee surgery earlier this year, expectations for him to return strong quickly diminished as he faced injury setbacks again. At 35, George seems to be moving further away from being an All-Star and closer to pursuing a podcasting career. The Sixers have shifted focus away from an Embiid-George combination to a Tyrese Maxey-led team; George’s role now feels secondary at best.
Zion Williamson, F, New Orleans Pelicans
Every year, I hope somehow for a comeback season from Zion Williamson, yet he continues to let me down. He showed up to training camp in impressive shape, but it didn’t translate to consistent play on the court. Once again, he’s missed a significant portion of games and hasn’t played at the All-Star level we saw in 2021 and 2023. I expected him to be a highly efficient scorer by now, but his scoring averages have fallen below league norms. I thought Williamson could also contribute defensively, but he has remarkably few blocks. The dynamic player we admired in college seems to be a distant memory now. This is likely the last time I succumb to that hope.
Ja Morant, G, Memphis Grizzlies
Not long ago, Morant was on the fast track to being the NBA’s face, known for his daring plays. Sadly, his story has taken a downturn amid injuries, gun-related suspensions, and defiant behavior toward coaches and media—marking a sad chapter for the league. Even when he’s played, his performance has declined significantly in terms of scoring efficiency and shooting. The current version of Morant seems a mere shadow of his former self, and it feels like a change is necessary for him to rediscover the joy of the game.
